WH Bible study leader ripped for opposing LGBT, Catholicism

Saturday, April 14, 2018

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Michael F. Haverluck (OneNewsNow.com)

Capitol Ministries President Ralph Drollinger, who leads a weekly Bible study at the White House, is being slammed by the leftist media and pro-LGBT groups for his views on homosexuality, gender roles and the Catholic Church.

Drollinger – who played basketball for UCLA on a scholarship and later in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks – is now a pastor who oversees a Bible study in the nation’s capital, and his views on LGBT issues, Catholic teachings, and women teaching men in the Word have recently been attacked by the leftist mainstream media (BBC and Newsweek) and by LGBT activist groups, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and OutRight Action International.

Taking heat for teaching the Christian Gospel instead of the social gospel

The Bible study, which includes Vice President Mike Pence, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Energy Secretary Rick Perry – just to name a few – is under fire for not ascribing to politically correct worldviews on a number of social issues.

“The outspoken pastor has sparked controversy for his views on women, same-sex relationships and Catholicism,” Newsweek reported. “As a result, progressive campaigners have objected to Drollinger’s regular meetings with high-ranking U.S. politicians, and fear the influence he could have on their political outlook.”

One of the 7-foot-tall 63-year-old’s “controversial” views that has recently been brought under scrutiny has to do with his biblical teaching same-sex “marriage.”

His biblical view on relationships between men and women that he expressed back in 2013 – when he addressed a Bible study to the U.S. Capitol – has also come under fire.

“Not only is homosexuality and same sex marriage voided by God in His Word, but biology, as well, castigates homosexuality and same sex marriage: The ultimate outcome is the discontinuation of the species, since homosexuals cannot procreate,” Drollinger wrote five years ago, as published on GodsMarriageBow.com. ”For sure, one cannot be a homosexual and an evolutionist at the same time.”

The pastor – who at one time turned down the NBA to play for the Christian ministry Athletes in Action – is also getting heat for his biblical view on women in Christian leadership.

“Each class is led by a local pastor, but none is led by a woman,” BBC pointed out. “Why not?”

The British news agency then quoted Drollinger.

"There's no [biblical] prohibition of female leadership in commerce, there's no prohibition of female leadership in the state, and there's no prohibition of female leadership over children," Drollinger told BBC in a recent interview. "But there is a prohibition of female leadership in marriage, and female leadership in the Church. And those are clear in Scripture … it doesn't mean – in an egalitarian sense – that a woman is of lesser importance. It's just that they have different roles."

"Pastor Drollinger respects other faiths,” Capitol Ministries told CP. “He believes other faiths have the same right to exist and practice as do Christians in a free country. [Drollinger was expressing theological objections to the Church's opposition to salvation by faith alone and was] not commenting on the faith or salvation of individual Catholics."

LGBT not happy

The LGBT advocacy group HRC contends that Drollinger’s view on social issues make him an “extremist.”

“People look to their faith as a source of guidance and inspiration – and LGBTQ people and our family and friends are no different,” HRC declared in a statement. “Drollinger’s influence and involvement in the current administration is not only driving a wedge between faith communities and the LGBTQ community, but it is turning back the clock on progress with the spread of even more divisive rhetoric throughout the highest ranks of government.”

OutRight Action International Executive Director Jessica Stern insists that Drollinger is violating the U.S. Constitution by teaching his White House Bible study.

"Make no mistake; this is no mere study group,” Stern told Newsweek. “This organization has targeted American government officials, so it has, by definition, sought to blur the line between church and state. Their anti-woman and anti-LGBTIQ views matter because the highest levels of American government are listening to them. Members of the president's Cabinet must immediately withdraw their sponsorship of this organization."

The North America region of the International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) also believes that Drollinger should not be leading the Bible study for leaders in the Trump administration.

“We have concerns that the Trump administration is willing to accept counsel from individuals who are hostile towards the LGBTQ community,” ILGA representatives told Newsweek. "There are many faith leaders to whom the administration can receive council who are inclusive and do not discriminate against any community. Many people who identify as LGBTQ are spiritual and religious people, and the fact that the President is surrounded by people who seek religious council from an exclusionary and hateful person is problematic. The President should require his cabinet to open their religious studies to more inclusionary groups and individuals."

In defense of Drollinger

In the face of the accusations made by pro-LGBT groups, Capitol Ministries assured that there is nothing unlawful about Drollinger teaching Bible studies at the White House.

“[Drollinger] was not appointed by anyone to teach these Bible studies,” Capitol Ministries wrote CP in an email. “He established them and was invited by believing public servants to lead them."

Capitol Ministries argues that it is not its leader’s practice to attack people or groups, but maintained that he does size up worldly teachings – and see how they line up against biblical principles.

“The ministry group also explained to CP that Drollinger's comments about Catholicism, homosexuality and leadership roles for women were misinterpreted as hateful toward individuals, when he specifically critiquing different ideas,” CP's Michael Gryboski noted.

Drollinger’s ministry went on to clarify that God through Scripture – not Drollinger himself – condemns the LGBT lifestyle.

"One of the criticisms is that Drollinger has called homosexuality a sin,” Capitol Ministries stressed to CP. “Drollinger was teaching from the Bible. God loves everyone, but sin separates people from Him. A pastor has great compassion and love in his heart for any person who is locked in sin."

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